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Legal Studies Program
Whether you are interested in a career as a Paralegal or preparing to apply for Law School, our Legal Studies Certificate program will help you achieve your goal.
Program Objectives
- To encourage students to continue one's education in law, either by preparing the student for applying to and attending law school or for developing a paralegal career.
- To encourage and nurture educational growth in love and knowledge of law, comfort level in the study of law, and belief of one's own opportunities and potential.
- To provide attention and mentoring, for as much or as little as needed.
- To appreciate that students are self-motivated and are investing both time and resources to be in the program; that they are already balancing both a home life and work life prior to entering the program.
Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public except as permitted by law.
Program Admission Requirements:
An Associates Degree (or 60 credits) is required to enroll in this program*, along with a completed application. Click to download the program application. You can submit electronically, by fax or in person.
Note: You may take individual courses without submitting an application. However, to be eligible for the Certificate, you must meet the admission requirements.
*Individuals who are interested in the program, but do not meet the admission requirements may be admitted at the discretion of the director. Please call the office to make an appointment to request a waiver of the application.
Registration and Tuition:
The tuition is $3700 plus one time $20 registration fee, or you can register for each course individually for $495 with a $20 registration fee per semester. Payment plans can be arranged. Please contact our bursar office at 212.650-3850.
Special Promotion: Sign for the entire program for $3700 plus $20 registration, save $260.
Payment Plans can be viewed here.
| Course |
Day | Time | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Semester | |||
| Introduction to Law | Thursday | 6:00 9:00pm | 2/9-3/8 |
| Legal Research & Writing | Tuesday | 6:00 9:00pm | 2/14-3/13 |
| Constitutional Law | Monday | 6:00 9:00pm | 2/27-3/26 |
| Drafting Legal Instruments | Tuesday | 6:00 9:00pm | 4/3-5/1 |
| Litigation | Wednesday | 6:00 9:45pm | 3/7-3/28 |
| Torts | Thursday | 6:00 9:00pm | 3/22-4/19 |
| Business Law for Small Business Owner | Wednesday | 6:00 9:00pm | 3/28-4/25 |
| Contracts | Monday | 6:00 9:00pm | 4/2-4/30 |
| Evidence | Wednesday | 6:00 9:00pm | 4/18-5/16 |
| Paralegal Practical Skills Workshop | Saturday | 10:00am-1:00pm | 4/7-5/5 |
To register for courses please click on the Course Browser/Registration.
Program Requirements (8 courses):
- Introduction to Law
- Litigation
- Contracts
- Legal Research
- Writing and Drafting Legal Instruments
- Elective
- Elective
- Elective
Students choose 3 electives to complete the program from offerings such as: Torts, Criminal Law, Landlord and Tenant, Real Property, Domestic Relations, Corporations, Administrative Law, Constitutional Law, Civil Rights, Arbitration and Mediation, Wills and Estates.
Not every elective course is given every term; usually there will be a choice of three electives a term. Courses may be added or dropped from time to time. Please review the course catalog for the current semester’s offerings and course descriptions.
After having successfully completed the program, the student receives a certificate issued by Continuing Education as well as a transcript. Additionally, a transcript is kept on file for 7 years in the Continuing Education office.
Advanced Certificate
From time to time the program may offer advanced courses in a series of semesters which, along with basic electives, may constitute an Advanced Paralegal Program. Students are eligible for an Advanced Certificate if they have completed the Basic Program and then take 3 additional electives. Students with paralegal certificates from other programs or with extensive paralegal backgrounds may also be eligible for admission at the discretion of the director.
